Breaking down the highs and lows of the Jets' season

Brandon Marshall has turned back the clock and become the Jets best receiver. (Gary Hershorn/AP)

Despite the Jets' current cold streak, they find themselves exceeding most outsiders' preseason expectations just past the midway point of the season. Gang Green is very much still in the thick of the postseason race − especially given its relatively weak remaining schedule. Let's take a look at the Jets' 5-4 start and evaluate the first nine games:

BEST PLAYER

Muhammad Wilkerson. The defensive lineman has taken his pass rushing up a notch this year, posting seven sacks in addition to his usual disruptiveness in the run game. Wilkerson's 51 total pressures (28 hurries, 16 QB hits and seven sacks) are tied for the league lead among 3-4 defensive ends, along with J.J. Watt, according to ProFootballFocus.com. His pay day will be big whenever and wherever it comes.

Brandon Marshall. What an acquisition by Mike Maccagnan, who dealt just a fifth-round pick (and swapped seventh-rounders) for the five-time Pro Bowl receiver. Marshall has rebounded in a major way and is the best receiver to wear green and white in years. Marshall has 57 receptions for 753 yards and six touchdowns. Plenty of people thought Marshall would be pretty good this year, but hardly anyone predicted a resurgence like this.

BEST ROOKIE

Leonard Williams. He hasn't made the type of instant impact that Sheldon Richardson did a couple of years ago, but Williams still looks like he'll turn out to be a solid player for years to come. However, he has recorded just half a sack.

BEST WIN

20-7 at Indianapolis. No, the Colts aren't very good. But neither are any of the other teams the Jets have beaten. And at least Indianapolis has a shot to make the playoffs in the weak AFC South. This was a solid road victory that put the Jets on the map.

Easily beating Miami in London. After all the concern about jet lag and coming off a loss to the Eagles, the Jets had no problem waking up to play the Dolphins across the pond in Week 4. They looked like the better team from the start, and beat up on Miami enough that Dolphins coach Joe Philbin was fired once he returned to the U.S.

BEST DECISION

Giving Ryan Fitzpatrick the reins. In the hours after Geno Smith was punched by IK Enemkpali, Todd Bowles was definitive and firm in his decision to make Fitzpatrick the QB for the foreseeable future. Bowles avoided a quarterback controversy by immediately indicating that Fitzpatrick would remain the QB even after Smith healed as long as he was playing well and/or the Jets were winning.

WORST PLAYER

Demario Davis. Let's only count starters with significant playing time for this category. Davis has been a liability, especially in pass coverage against running backs. The inside linebacker has played poorly enough that Bowles might want to consider benching him in favor of Erin Henderson.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Antonio Cromartie. The way this season has gone, expect Cromartie's return to New York to end after 2015. The cornerback has surrendered six touchdowns this season, and has been a key reason why the defense hasn't lived up to its reputation the last few weeks.

Devin Smith. The rookie wideout had had a very quiet start to the season ... until he fumbled a kickoff return against the Bills, which ended up being returned for a touchdown. His lack of production has to be a concern.

WORST LOSS

Losing to the Bills. In terms of the playoff standings, this was the most important loss this year as the Jets fell to a division rival that is also competing for a wild card spot. On top of that, they let their old coach, Rex Ryan, get the best of them, and had plenty of chances for a comeback victory. Instead, the Jets couldn't capitalize.

WORST MOMENT

Brandon Marshall's failed lateral. Though Marshall has been excellent, his one foolish decision to lateral a ball to Jeff Cumberland against the Eagles will not be forgotten. He called it the "worst play in NFL history." It wasn't that bad, but it's certainly the worst play of the Jets' season.

WORST DECISION

Throwing to Kellen Davis on fourth-and-4 against the Bills. In a critical moment of a divisional game, the Jets elected to run a play where the first option was a tight end with just one reception this season. Something tells me the Bills would sign up for that every time.